I'm wondering if anyone is aware of research into the relationship between
demands for early advancement of instrumental "rationality" and extended
emotional or affective neoteny. Please don't go to any trouble, though,
this is merely something that's on my mind for the following reasons:
My six year old son is having bad dreams, and is openly expressing
concerns, about getting a job when he grows up. I'm not sure where this is
coming from (not me!). There are more widespread phenomena: young adults
(I'm thinking particularly of some students I teach), while considered
expert in work-related aspects of their lives, seem unable to cope with or
discuss emotional aspects of their life. Other things are happening in the
wider community: the number of post-21 year-olds living at home has more
than doubled here (there could be many explanations for this, of course).
There are other strange things happening reasons too, that seem to point to
a relationship.
I wonder if an overemphasis on instrumental rationality retards emotional
development, as has been suggested some years ago.
wonderingly,
Phil
Phil Graham
p.graham who-is-at qut.edu.au
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/8314/index.html